'IS-linked militant' shot dead as Canada thwarts terror attack

Twenty-four year-old Aaron Driver was armed with an explosive device when police took “action” after receiving "credible information" about a potential attack.

"Earlier today, the RCMP received credible information of a potential terrorist threat. A suspect was identified and the proper course of action has been taken to ensure that there is no danger to the public's safety," the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement.

Local media reports suggest the suspect was previously arrested in 2015 for expressing support for the Islamic State group in posts published online, before being released in February.

A relative who spoke to CBC said Driver detonated an explosive device and was expecting to detonate another in a busy public space, before police shot him dead in a residential area in southern Ontario.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said he had discussed the incident with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and that the security forces had acted effectively.

"Earlier today, the RCMP received credible information regarding a potential terrorist threat and took action to ensure public safety," he said in a statement.

"Canadians can be confident that whenever credible information is obtained about a potential terrorist threat, the RCMP, CSIS and other police and security agencies take the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of this country and its citizens.

"These agencies conducted themselves effectively in the circumstances that developed today."

Two separate lone wolf attacks hit Quebec and Ottawa in October 2014, killing two soldiers.

The attacks prompted authorities to pass a bill giving the RCMP and Canada's spy agency sweeping powers to thwart terror plots and prevent Canadian youth from flying overseas to join IS militants in Syria.

Canada was the target of two separate lone wolf attacks in October 2014 in Quebec and Ottawa that resulted in the death of two soldiers.

In Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) southeast of Montreal, a young man drove his car into two soldiers, killing one of them before being shot dead by police.

Two days later, another attacker killed a ceremonial guard before trying to storm Canada's parliament before being shot dead by security guards only meters (yards) from a room where the prime minister and his caucus were meeting.

Following these attacks, the Conservative government passed a bill giving the RCMP and Canada's spy agency sweeping powers to thwart terror plots and prevent Canadian youth from flying overseas to join IS militants in Syria.

Canada joined the US-led coalition against IS in September 2014 but scaled back its involvement largely after Trudeau’s Liberals won the general election last year.